Update on Gross Out Co-Worker

[Meerkat]

Last week she came into the nurses station and urinated while she told us something that was going on with a patient. We were shocked...I'm not talking a little dribble...pant leg was clinging to her leg with wetness. She left work and didn't come back the rest of the night.

When she came back the next day, we talked to her, suggesting disposable briefs (I hate using the word 'diaper' with an adult). Her response was that if she wears them, her pants won't fit because she lost so much weight she threw out her chubby pants (they are already bulging, pantyline cutting an outline). She is apologetic, but quite frank about her 'accidents', as if they are a fact of life that we all just have to deal with.

Didn't even get to approach the subject of her foul gas and B.O.

I think she must be under some kind of delusion about herself. It's simply bizarre. She seems to think that she is a little vixen, that some of our male staff has a crush on her (they say no way). She has even commented that since she 'looks so much younger than she really is, she would be willing to model for the hospital billboard. (she is 56, and looks every bit of it). Now, I am certainly not one to feel that heavy people can't model---I think it's great, in fact...but totally aside from her size, her saggy, disheveled, stinky presentation makes it unlikely that she is model material. To be fair, I am angry...angry that she is so inconsiderate, angry that she is not taking gentle cues, and frustrated at her---so I may be being more harsh than necessary.

But I doubt it.

[leslie :-D]

i am totally flabbergasted that mgmt does not have concerns;

unless there is an undisclosed disability and they fear a discrimination suit.

it really is a pitiful situation.

leslie

[Meerkat]

i am totally flabbergasted that mgmt does not have concerns;

unless there is an undisclosed disability and they fear a discrimination suit.

it really is a pitiful situation.

leslie

I hadn't thought about that...but you know what...I bet you're on to something. If the incontinence is caused by huge weight loss, perhaps they fear a suit based on discrimination against a heavy person (since she is still heavy).

[flashpoint]

Wow...I wish I had some words of wisdom for you, but I am just speechless.

[Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN]

I'm not buying the pants-don't-fit-when wearing something for incontinence excuse she's dishing. There are plently of options out there for something that's thinner, instead of going without anything.

New pants at Wal-mart are $12 for scrub pants, about $15 for something other than denim.

I would be angry too, because her incontinence is affecting other people, instead of being a personal problem. The smell, the wet chairs. If a facililty is not willing to DO something about someone that won't deal with their health hazardous habits, and it's whining "well she might sue us for discrimination", i'd probably look around and see what other jobs are out there.

Does your facility have a dress code? Quite a few companies now have had to include a line or two about personal hygiene because of issues like this. Most include somemthing about wwearing "clean" clothes.

[leslie :-D]

Does your facility have a dress code?

yes.

i believe i read in the employee handbook, that the towel you bring to work, to use as a soaker pad, must be color-coordinated with the outfit one wears.

for instance, this fellow here, would benefit from using a towel in any of the earth tones. :)

leslie

[MarySunshine]

Um, HELLO, has she never heard of Walmart scrubs?!?!?! I would totally lose my cool if I were you. That's just shockingly ignorant and rude and gross.

[Celia M, ASN, RN]

I'm sorry I don't remember from your previous posts whether management has been informed of the problem and if they have done anything about it. If not tell them now, in writing with dates etc, if they do know keep up with written documentation and if nothing is being done go up the chain of command or to HR. This poor lady ssounds as though she may be struggling with some psychological issues and needs help. I would also class her as an infection control, PR and harrassment problem. Good luck

[Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN]

She doesn't have to wear a brief - there are incontinence pads that work well. Buy her a box.

steph

[luvkitties]

yes.

i believe i read in the employee handbook, that the towel you bring to work, to use as a soaker pad, must be color-coordinated with the outfit one wears.

for instance, this fellow here, would benefit from using a towel in any of the earth tones. :)

leslie

:roll :roll :roll :roll :roll :roll :roll :roll

~Lori

[RGN1]

Is this truly for real?? I just can't get my head around it!!

[Katnip, RN]

yes.

i believe i read in the employee handbook, that the towel you bring to work, to use as a soaker pad, must be color-coordinated with the outfit one wears.

for instance, this fellow here, would benefit from using a towel in any of the earth tones. :)

leslie

I think that's the first time that a liquid I was drinking nearly came out of my nose.